Starting in 2025, the WNBA Finals will adopt a best-of-seven format, replacing the best-of-five series used since 2005. This change was approved by the WNBA Board of Governors and is part of a broader effort to elevate the competition and enhance fan engagement, aligning the league more closely with the NBA’s championship structure. The Finals will now feature a 2-2-1-1-1 format, with the higher-seeded team hosting Games 1, 2, 5, and 7, while the lower-seeded team will host Games 3, 4, and 6. This move ensures a more balanced playoff series that can potentially stretch to a full seven games, offering fans more opportunities to watch the league’s top teams and players compete.
This decision comes at a time when the WNBA is seeing unprecedented growth in viewership, game attendance, and digital engagement. The expansion reflects the increasing demand for women’s basketball, as highlighted by Commissioner Cathy Engelbert. By offering more games in the most critical part of the season, the league hopes to capitalize on its momentum and continue its rapid rise in popularity. Engelbert emphasized that fans of major sports are accustomed to best-of-seven Finals, so this adjustment brings the WNBA in line with expectations for professional championship events.
In addition to the Finals expansion, the regular season will also be extended to 44 games per team in 2025, an increase from 40. This adjustment is timely, coinciding with the introduction of the Golden State Valkyries as the league’s 13th franchise. Moreover, the first round of the playoffs will adopt a 1-1-1 format for its best-of-three series, ensuring both teams get to host at least one home game.
These changes signify the WNBA’s growing influence in professional sports, offering both athletes and fans more opportunities for competition and engagement. The league’s decision to expand the Finals and regular season reflects its commitment to growth, reinforcing its position as a major player in the sports world while delivering high-quality basketball to an ever-growing fanbase【6†source】.
